MID-TERM

Mid-Term

Mid-Term

Question # 1: Bureaucracy, Religion and Leaders

Religion, bureaucracy, and the law core elements of social structure that share an essential and complex relationship. Despite a few historical dysfunctions, religion, law, and bureaucracy continue to be, even in a post-modern world, a crucial matrimony of a culturally robust society. Moreover, the coexistence of religion, law, and bureaucracy are far from being mutually exclusive, and can in fact support each other (Durkheim, 2005).

Law is a system of rules, usually enforced through a set of institutions, which shape bureaucracy, economics, and society. In addition, law enforcement is a cultural device through which a nation carries out self-protective or repressive policies. The evolution of religious, social and political perspectives produce different political leaders throughout time; as a result, laws evolve in all societies (Juergensmeyer, 2003).

Bureaucracy is the social authority and force of a non- government, which affect internal and external affairs. Bureaucracy allocates power, determines authority, and prevents chaos. Through political tactics, a non-government implements a standard of ethics for public behavior and public administration.

Power: wars have started because politicians try to dictate their will on a weaker nation. 2. Revenge: political authorities have reinitialized wars in an attempt to finalize previous conflicts. 3. Prestige: when protecting a country's honor war-blood is spilt. 4. Unity: civil conflict between rival groups has resulted in war massacres. 5. Position: political leaders protecting or exalting their own position feel compelled into conflict. 6. Ethnicity: combat is at times an attempt to make an authority or society subservient to another authority or society. 7. Beliefs: leaders have tried to convert others by brutal force to another political or religious practice (Meyer-Dinkgrafe, 2004).

There are many reasons for war, not just religion. For example, modern warfare is initiated and finalized by an official declaration of war legislated by politicians. Religion is therefore not the only perpetrator in war, especially when law, religion, and bureaucracy mix. This examines the dysfunction of the union of religion, law, and bureaucracy; however, it proves the marriage is axiomatic.

Question # 2: Religiosity and Sociologist

The French Sociologist Emile Durkheim (1912/1965) defined religion by three elements: Beliefs that are sacred, practices and rituals centering on things considered sacred, and finally a moral community, like a church, resulting from a group's beliefs and practices (Bellah, 2007). In summary, religion is a systematic theory that is esteemed worthy of respect or dedication by a congregated group of people.

Karl Marx (1964) boldly stated that, “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of a heartless world…It is the opium of the people”. By this statement, Marx referred to the oppressed, which find escape in religion(Meyer-Dinkgrafe, 2004). Like a drug, religion diverts their thoughts from current misery to future happiness in the afterlife. Religion turns their sight from an oppressor to their god, whom they believe is merciful and just. The function of religion is to prevent rebellious chaos, anarchy, and wars. Should religion, law, and politics be allowed to mix? Oppression is far better than unbridled war! Pluralism, not ...